World Environment Day - Ecosystems decline together with climate change will make disasters worse

The recently published Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction: Risk and Poverty in a Changing Climate identifies ecosystems decline as a key disaster risk driver that will exacerbate natural hazards in the future. Healthy ecosystems provide, inter alia, essential natural barriers to reduce the impacts of floods and storm surges.

The theme chosen by UNEP for World Environment Day (WED) 2009 is 'Your Planet Needs You-UNite to Combat Climate Change' reflects the pressing need for countries to agree on a new deal at the crucial climate convention meeting in Copenhagen. It also emphasizes the links with poverty reduction and improved management of forests.

The UNISDR is joining UNEP to celebrate its WED and supports its many events around the world from 3 to 7 June, notably the release of the new Yan Arthus Bertrand film called 'Home' at the Auditorium Arditi-Wilsdorf, Avenue du Mail 1 in Geneva on 7 June at 8 p.m.

The forthcoming Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction will also dedicate a full session on the role of Ecosystems management in climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction together with UNEP on 17 June from 16.30 to 18.30 Room 3 at the Geneva International Conference Centre.